Emre Can makes shock return to Liverpool FC squad ahead of Champions League final

Emre Can is set to make a surprise return to the Liverpool squad this week, as the Reds step up preparations for the Champions League final.

The club confirmed that Can has been included in the squad that will travel to Marbella this morning, as the Reds jet off to Spain for a training camp ahead of May 26’s meeting with Real Madrid.

The German international hasn’t featured for Jurgen Klopp’s side since being substituted in the first half of Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Watford in March due to a back injury.

The 24-year-old has missed the Reds’ last eleven fixtures and has not been present in Liverpool during his rehabilitation, choosing to stay in his hometown of Frankfurt.

The midfielder, who is set to leave Liverpool for free at the end of the season after failing to agree terms to a new deal, was left out of Germany’s World Cup squad, with many believing he had also played his last game in a red shirt.

However, Can’s inclusion in the travelling squad to Marbella this week means he could feature in the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kiev.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star’s fitness will be assessed daily by Liverpool’s physiotherapists and medical staff as they attempt to determine whether he can join full training sessions with the rest of the squad.

Emre Can was substituted after just 27 minutes during Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Watford at Anfield. Image: Press Association

Can will have just 10 days to prove his fitness for the showdown with Real Madrid, however with his lack of match fitness, it’s still to be seen whether he is a realistic option.

The Reds will stay in Marbella for four days, as they step up their preparations for the mammoth clash. The squad will then travel back to Melwood this weekend, before flying to Ukraine.

Klopp, outlining his plans for the Reds squad this upcoming week, said: “We won’t train high-intensity, we will do a little tactical stuff, a little fitness work, keep them in shape, then we have five days again to prepare for the last game.”

James Milner is also set to be included in the travelling squad after missing several training sessions due to a muscle injury before Sunday’s 4-0 win over Brighton.